New Delhi: The BJP government in Haryana has readied a special project which aims to upgrade low yielding indigenous cattle into high yielding cows of native breeds through selective breeding.

The state government also wants to encourage farmers to rear good quality indigenous cattle for which it has planned monetary incentives.

According to a Haryana government statement here, the Centre today approved 'Gosamvardhan and Gosanrakshan' project which is worth Rs 77.90 crore for conservation, upgradation and integrated development of Hariana, Sahiwal and Gir breeds of indigenous cattle.

The state government's proposal for the project was approved by Project Sanctioning Committee, Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries of the Union Government, the statement added.

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said it would prove as a boon for upgrading of low yielding indigenous cattle into high yielding cows of native breeds through selective breeding.

The state's Animal Husbandry Minister O P Dhankar said that Haryana has taken a lead to improve upon the indigenous cattle in the state to mitigate the ill effects of global warming and climate change.

Dhankar also said the project would be implemented in a phased manner over the next five years. The project would envisage to expand and improve the quality of artificial insemination services and making it available at farmers' doorstep, to bring all breedable cows under organised breeding through artificial insemination or natural service using disease-free high genetic merit bulls.

Dhankar said the Haryana Government has decided to provide subsidy to the tune of 50 per cent for establishment of mini dairy units comprising of up to 5 indigenous cows.

He said to further encourage the farmers to rear good quality indigenous cattle, it has been decided to start performance recording of these breeds and for that incentive ranging from Rs 10,000 to Rs 20,000 would be provided.